The Falcon 9 rocket first-stage booster landed at Landing Zone 1 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, around 8min after the launch.

Commenting on the launch, USAF 45th Space Wing commander brigadier general Wayne Monteith said: “This marks the fifth successful launch of the OTV and its first onboard a Falcon 9. A strong relationship with our mission partners, such as the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, is vital toward maintaining the Eastern Range as the World’s Premiere Gateway to Space.”

"This marks the fifth successful launch of the OTV and its first onboard a Falcon 9."

Carrying small satellite ride shares, the X-37B OTV will perform on-orbit testing of emerging space technologies as part of the mission.

It will also test experimental electronics and oscillating heat pipe technologies in the long-duration space environment through the Air Force Research Laboratory Advanced Structurally Embedded Thermal Spreader payload.